Tolerance Compensation Device for Flat Components

ABSTRACT

The subject matter relates to a tolerance compensation comprising a flat part with a first recess for receiving a bolt of an attachment part and a tolerance slider with a second recess for receiving the bolt.

The subject matter relates to a tolerance compensation comprising a flatpart with a first recess for receiving a bolt of an attachment part, anda tolerance slider with a second recess for receiving the bolt.

Connecting bolts as well as contact bolts are usually welded ontoattachment parts by means of welding robots. During welding,production-related tolerances of the position of the bolt occur. Ifrigid flat cables are to be arranged on such bolts, these tolerancespose a problem. Since a flat cable is rigid and cannot be bentarbitrarily, it is hardly possible to compensate for tolerances, unlikewith flexible cables. This is especially true if the flat parts havereceiving holes for the bolts, which are only slightly larger indiameter than the diameter of the bolt.

If a bolt with the greatest possible tolerance deviation is attached tothe attachment part, it may happen that the flat cable can no longer beattached to the bolt, since the bolt cannot be inserted into the recessin the flat cable. This is particularly problematic in automotiveapplications, where along the production line delays in the productionprocess must be avoided as far as possible.

For this reason, the subject-matter was based on the object ofoptimizing the attachment of a flat part to a bolt, in particularcreating the possibility of fixing a rigid flat cable to a bolt subjectto tolerances in its position.

This object is solved by a tolerance compensation according to claim 1.The preferably rigid flat part can be an integral part of a preferablyrigid flat cable or be fixed as an attachment part to a flat cable. Theflat part has a longitudinal extension and a transverse extension.Starting from a end face edge, the flat part extends in a longitudinaldirection in a longitudinal extension (hereinafter also referred to asthe Y-axis). The end face edge of the flat part extends transversely,preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in a transversedirection (hereinafter also referred to as the X-axis).

The flat part has a recess for receiving a bolt of an attachment part.Such a bolt may, for example, be a welded-on fastening bolt on a motorvehicle body, on an engine, on a gearbox, on a sheet metal part or onanother attachment part in a motor vehicle. A bolt can also be a contactbolt for electrically contacting the flat part and the attachment.

A tolerance slider is arranged at the flat part, which also has a recessfor receiving the bolt. The tolerance slider is movably arranged on theflat part. For this purpose, the tolerance slider can be moved along theflat part, particularly along the longitudinal direction.

To receive a bolt subject to tolerances, the first recess in the flatpart must be larger than the diameter of the bolt. In particular, theinside dimensions of the first recess must be larger than the largestcross-sectional extent of the bolt. Then the bolt can, even if it ismounted with tolerances deviating from its nominal position, be insertedinto the first recess without the flat cable having to be bent,compressed or otherwise deformed to achieve a fit.

It is proposed that the first recess has a greater size in one directionalong the longitudinal axis of the flat part than the second recess inthat direction. Due to this greater size the bolt can still be insertedinto the first recess if its positioning in this direction deviates. Inaddition, the tolerance slider can afterwards be pushed onto the boltand the bolt can be inserted into the recess of the tolerance slide witha exact fit. Subsequently, the bolt can be attached to the toleranceslider in the usual way, e.g., by tightening a nut.

Furthermore, the first recess can have an extent in a directiontransverse to the longitudinal axis of the flat part which is alsolarger than the diameter of the bolt. Because the recess has a greaterextent than the bolt both in the direction of the longitudinal axis andin the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, especially in theX and Y axes, a bolt with tolerances can be inserted into the firstrecess without further ado. To then fasten the bolt, however, thetolerance slider is provided. For this purpose, the extent of the firstrecess in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the flatpart is at least as large as the extent of the second recess in thisdirection. Therefore, both the tolerance slider and the flat part enablea tolerance compensation of the bolt in the direction transverse to thelongitudinal axis, especially in the x-direction. Since the toleranceslider is slidably arranged on the flat part, it can be positioned atany position along the longitudinal axis over the first recess. Thisenables tolerance compensation in the longitudinal axis, especially inthe y-direction.

To receive the bolt in the first and second recesses, the toleranceslider is arranged on the flat part in such a way that it can be slid ina direction along the longitudinal axis of the flat part over the firstrecess.

This design firstly makes it possible to achieve a tolerancecompensation in the longitudinal axis by positioning the toleranceslider over the first recess in such a way that the first recess and thesecond recess are aligned with the bolt and the bolt can be insertedinto the first and second recess. Since at the same time the secondrecess has a greater extension in the direction transverse to thelongitudinal axis, in particular to the X-axis, tolerance compensationalong this axis is achieved at the same time.

Finally, the bolt can be fastened to the tolerance compensation, inparticular screwed, by screwing a nut or other fastening means onto thebolt and the fastening means pressing through the tolerance slideragainst the flat part and thus the flat part against the attachment partto which the bolt is fastened.

In the automated or semi-automated production, it is necessary that thetolerance slider can be positioned on the bolt by simple hand movements.To prevent the tolerance slider from being lost, it is proposed that thetolerance slider is positioned on the flat part so that it cannot belost. In this way, the tolerance compensation is always ready forassembly without having to fear that a part is missing.

According to an embodiment, it is proposed that the tolerance slider isarranged on a wide surface of the flat part and grips behind onelongitudinal edge of the flat part, preferably behind both longitudinaledges of the flat part. The flat part preferably has one or two endfaces, two wide faces and two narrow side faces. The side faces and thewide faces are limited by the longitudinal edges. The end face islimited by the end face edges. The tolerance slider preferably gripsbehind the longitudinal edges of the flat part. The tolerance sliderrests in a U-shaped and/or C-shaped manner on the wide surface and haslateral extensions which engage behind the longitudinal edges of theflat part.

At the side surface of the flat part, also called the narrow surface, agroove can be provided. It is proposed that the tolerance slider engagesin this groove and is guided by this groove. This defines the movementof the tolerance slider along the flat part. The groove preferablyextends at least according to the first recess in the longitudinal axis.Preferably, the groove can be guided into the flat part starting fromthe end face up until the end of the first recess facing away from theend face is reached. The groove can also extend beyond the end of thefirst recess.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the flatpart is slotted from an end face edge into the first recess. The slotmakes it possible to elastically compress the flat part along the X-axisin the area of the front end. This can make it easier to push thetolerance slider onto the front end of the flat part. In particular, thespringing back of the flat part in the area of the front end can holdthe tolerance slider in position, in particular by clamping. It isproposed that the front edge is elastically deformable by the slot. Thisallows the front edge to be compressed and the tolerance slider to bepushed onto the front edge by this compression. If the edge springs backafterwards, a force acting outwards onto the longitudinal edges canclamp the tolerance slider.

The tolerance slider can not only grip on the outside of the flat part,but it can also be guided on the inner surfaces of the first recess. Forthis reason, it is proposed that the tolerance slider is guided in thefirst recess. In particular, the tolerance slider can be guided in agroove arranged on an inner edge of the recess. It is also possible thatthe tolerance slider encompasses an inner edge of the recess. Becausethe tolerance slider is guided in the recess, the tolerance compensationcan be realized in a particularly small height. This can be particularlyadvantageous when installation space is limited.

The first recess is preferably rectangular or square and the secondrecess is preferably an oblong hole. The second recess preferably has anextent in y-direction which corresponds approximately to the diameter ofthe bolt. On the other hand, the extent in the x-direction can begreater than the diameter of the bolt, so that tolerance compensation inthe x-direction is possible with the tolerance slider.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that thedirection transverse to the longitudinal axis of the flat part isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flat part. x- andy-direction or x- and y-axis are thus perpendicular to each other.

According to an embodiment, it is proposed that the recess has anextension in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the flat partand in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, whichcorresponds at least to a tolerance of the position of the bolt on theattachment part.

According to an embodiment it is proposed that the tolerance slider isheld to the bolt in a clamped manner. After the first and the secondrecess have been placed on the bolt, the bolt can be fixed to thetolerance compensation, for example by screwing it on.

It is also possible that the tolerance slider is made of a metal or aplastic material. It is also possible that the flat part is made ofmetal or a plastic.

A flat cable can extend along an underbody or along a centre console ina vehicle, for example. In particular, it may extend from the enginecompartment to the boot. Other routings of the flat cables are alsopossible. These long flat cables usually have taps which areelectrically attached to bolts. Such taps can be realized in particularby so-called connection boxes, which are fixed to the flat conductor. Atthe connection boxes, the electrical connections and, if necessary,fused taps from the flat cable can be provided. On the output side ofthe connection boxes, connection lugs can be provided which are formedaccording to a tolerance compensation described above. Thus, a flatcable can be laid in the vehicle and the fixing and/or electricalcontacting of the flat cable can be carried out via the tolerancecompensation. The longitudinal extension of the tolerance compensationcan be transverse, preferably perpendicular to the longitudinalextension of the flat cable. It is also possible that the flat partitself is a flat cable. By means of the connection boxes, a number oftaps can be realized along a flat cable, which at the same time can alsorepresent mechanical fixings of the flat cable. It is also conceivablethat only mechanical fixations of the flat cable can be realized byappropriate tolerance compensations.

A further aspect is a system with tolerance compensation as describedabove and an attachment part, whereby a flat part with tolerancecompensation is attached to a bolt arranged on the attachment part,whereby the bolt is attached to the add-on part with tolerances and isguided through the first and second recess.

In the following, the object is explained in more detail by means of adrawing showing embodiments. In the drawing show:

FIG. 1 view of a flat part;

FIG. 2a, b views of a tolerance slider;

FIG. 3a, b top views of a bolt;

FIG. 4a, b a tolerance compensation according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5a, b a tolerance compensation according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 a side view of a tolerance slider according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7a-c a tolerance compensation according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 a tolerance compensation according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows an arrangement of tolerance compensations on a multilayerflat conductor.

FIG. 1 shows a flat part 2, which has a longitudinal extent along aY-axis 4 and a transverse extension along an X-axis 6. The end faceedges 8 run parallel to the X-axis 6. The longitudinal edges 10 runparallel to the Y-axis. A first recess 14 is provided in the widesurface 12 of the flat part.

The recess 14 can be formed as a oblong hole. The extent of recess 14along the Y-axis 4 is preferably greater than the extent of recess 14along the X-axis 6. The dimensions of recess 14 are such that theextents in the directions of X-axis 6 and Y-axis 4 are greater than themaximum tolerances of a bolt on an attachment part.

A tolerance slider 16 as shown in FIG. 2a, b can be slid onto the flatpart 2 as shown in FIG. 1. A top view of a tolerance slider 16 is shownin FIG. 2a . The tolerance slider 16 has an extent along the X-axis 6which is either slightly larger than the extent of the flat part 2 alongthe X-axis 6 or corresponds to the extent of the recess 14 along theX-axis 6. In the first case, the tolerance slider 16 can be providedwith outer arms 18, as shown in FIG. 2b , which can embrace the flatpart 2 along the longitudinal edges 10. In the latter case it ispossible that the tolerance slider 16 is inserted into the recess 14.Both will be shown below.

A recess 20 is provided in the tolerance slider 16. The recess 20preferably has the same extent along the X-axis 6 as the recess 14, butcan also be reduced by the dimension of the webs 22, which limit therecess 20 in the direction of the longitudinal edges 24.

In the y-direction 4, recess 20 has a smaller extent than recess 14. Inparticular, the extent of recess 20 in the direction of the y-axis 4 ispreferably only slightly larger than a diameter of a bolt.

The arms 18 can be c-shaped in order to e.g., completely embrace theflat part 2 along the longitudinal edges 10 and, if necessary, to gripbehind it or to engage in a groove arranged on a side surface.

Bolts, to which a tolerance compensation according to the subject-matteris to be attached, can have different shapes. FIGS. 3a and b showexamples of such different shapes. For example, a bolt 26 can have adiameter 26 c. This is shown in FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 3b shows that a bolt 26 can also have a rectangular or squarecross-section. Other polygonal cross-sections are also possible. Thelongitudinal extent 26 a and the transverse extension 26 b can, forexample, be decisive for the size of recess 14 and 20. In particular,recess 14 in Y axis 4 is larger than the transverse extent 26 a. Therecess 14 is larger along the X-axis 6 than the transverse extent 26 b.The recess 22 preferably is, along the Y-axis 4, as large as or onlyslightly larger than the longitudinal extension 26 a. The recess 20 ispreferably larger along the X-axis 6 than the transverse extension 26 b.

To attach the flat part 2 to a bolt 26, it is placed on a bolt 26 asshown in FIGS. 4-8.

FIGS. 4a, b show a fastening of a flat part 2 to a bolt 26, where thebolt 26 has a deviation from its target position in the image plane tothe right and downwards. The tolerance slider 16 can be moved along theY-axis 4 on the flat part 2. The displacement direction 28 correspondsto the orientation of the Y-axis 4. To fix the flat part 2 to the bolt26, the recess 14 is placed over the bolt 26 and the bolt 26 is pushedthrough the recess 14. At the same time, the tolerance slider 16 ispositioned along the displacement direction 28 on the flat part 2 insuch a way that the bolt 26 can also be inserted through the recess 20.It can be seen that the bolt 26 is received by the tolerance slider 16in such a way that the recess 20 touches the bolt 26 in close contact,especially along the Y-axis 4. Thus, the bolt 26 can for example bescrewed to the flat part 2 by means of a screw connection.

In FIG. 4b it can be seen that the bolt 26 is displaced from the targetposition 30 to the right. Furthermore it can be seen that the toleranceslider 16 engages with its arms 18 in a groove 2 a of the flat part 2 onthe side faces of the flat part 2.

FIG. 5a shows a further embodiment in which the bolt 26 is shifted tothe left and upwards in relation to the target position 30. Here too,the extent of recess 14 ensures that the bolt 26 can be inserted intorecess 14 without any problems. The flat part 2 can remain in the targetposition 30, although the bolt 26 has a tolerance in relation to it. Byshifting the tolerance slider 16 along the shifting direction 28, thebolt 26 can be positioned in the recess 20.

FIG. 5b also shows a positioning of the bolt 26 deviating from a targetposition 30.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a tolerance compensation according to FIG.5a . It can be seen how the arms 18 engage in the groove 2 a. The groove2 a extends along the recess 14.

FIG. 7a shows a flat part 2, which has a slot 32 in the area of thefront face edge 8. The slot 32 extends from the front face edge 8 to therecess 14. Due to the slot 32 it is possible to elastically deform theflat part 12 in the area of the recess 14 in the direction of the X-axis6. This can be particularly advantageous if the tolerance slider 16 isto be pushed onto the flat part 2.

In FIG. 7b it can be seen that the tolerance slider 16 has been pushedonto the flat part 2. Here, for example, the slot 32 can serve tocompress the front face edge 8 so that the tolerance slider 6, whichembraces the flat part 2 with its arms 18, can be pushed onto the flatpart 2. The slot 32 is then widened again by the restoring force of theflat part 2, so that the tolerance slider 16 can be held at the flatpart 2, for example in a clamped manner. The positioning of the bolt 26in the recesses 14, 20 according to FIG. 7b is carried out as shown inFIG. 4 a.

Subsequently, a fixing of the bolt 26 follows, as shown in FIG. 7c . Forthis purpose, a nut 34, for example, is screwed onto the bolt 26. Via awasher not shown, the nut 34 can be pressed onto the tolerance slider16. This fixes the flat part 2 and the tolerance slider 16 to the bolt26 and to the attachment part to which the bolt 26 is attached.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment in which the tolerance slider 16 isguided in the recess 14. It can be seen that the tolerance slider 16 isguided with its longitudinal edges 24 on the inside longitudinal edgesof recess 14. For this purpose, the tolerance slider 16 can engage ingrooves within the inner surfaces of recess 14, for example. Thetolerance slider 16 can also embrace the longitudinal edges of recess14. A positioning of the bolt 26 in the recesses 14, 20 is carried outin such a way that the tolerance slider 16 is shifted in shift direction28 in the recess 14 so that it is aligned with the bolt 26. Then thebolt 26 can be pushed through the recess 20 and thus through the recess14 and can be fixed, for example, with a nut, as shown in FIG. 7c , tothe tolerance slide 16.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment in which a flat cable 36 is assembled.The flat cable 36 can, for example, be designed as a double flat cableand be made up of flat parts lying one above the other. The double flatcable can be connected with the battery positive pole on the one handand the battery negative pole on the other hand. Taps can be provided atdifferent positions along the flat cable 36. Thus, two or more taps arepossible. These taps can, for example, be welded onto the flat cable 36and protected by means of coupling boxes 38.

The flat cable 36 can be bent around different axes, especially aroundthe longitudinal axis of the flat cable 36 and/or the transverse axis ofthe flat cable 36 and/or an axis perpendicular to the drawing plane.

The Coupling Boxes 38 can be provided for fastening with coarse threadedbolts 26. For this purpose, tolerance compensations with flat part 2 andtolerance slider 16 are provided on the coupling boxes 38. One or moretolerance compensations can be provided at a coupling box 38.

The bolts 26 are welded to the body subject to tolerances. In order toavoid that the flat cable 36 has to be bent when fixing it, thetolerance compensations according to the subject-matter are provided. Ateach of the tolerance compensations, a tolerance of a bolt 26 can becompensated by moving the tolerance slide 16 along the flat part 2.Thus, the flat cable 36 or the coupling boxes 38 can be attached to thebolts 26 without mechanical tensions occurring on the coupling boxes 38,the bolts 26 and the taps arranged in the coupling boxes 38.

To fix the bolts 26 to the tolerance sliders, plastic nuts can beprovided, for example, which can be tightened with a few Newton metresof slots.

For example, two taps, one at a lower flat cable and one at an upperflat cable, can be provided at a coupling box 38, so that the doubleflat cable 36 can be tapped at its two potentials.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   2 Flat part-   4 Y-axis-   6 X-axis-   8 End face edge-   10 Longitudinal edge-   12 Wide surface-   14 Recess-   16 Tolerance slider-   18 Arms-   20 Recess-   22 Webs-   24 Longitudinal edge-   26 Bolt-   26 a Longitudinal extent-   26 b Lateral extent-   26 c Diameter-   28 Shifting direction-   30 Target position-   32 Slot-   34 Nut-   36 Flat cable

1-13. (canceled)
 14. Tolerance compensation comprising: a flat part witha first recess for receiving a bolt of an attachment part; and atolerance slider with a second recess for receiving the bolt; whereinthe flat part has a longitudinal axis extending from its end face edgein longitudinal direction and a transversal axis extending transversallyto the longitudinal axis, wherein the first recess has a greater extentin a direction along the longitudinal axis of the flat part than thesecond recess in that direction, the first recess has an extension in adirection along the transversal axis which corresponds at least to theextent of the second recess in this direction, and the tolerance sliderfor receiving the bolt in the first and second recess is arranged on theflat part in such a way that it can be displaced in a direction alongthe longitudinal axis of the flat part over the first recess, whereinthe flat part is slotted from the front face edge into the first recessand the end face edge is elastically deformable due to the slot, so thatthe tolerance slider can be pushed onto the end face edge by compressionof the end face edge.
 15. Tolerance compensation of claim 14, whereinthe tolerance slider is arranged on the flat part so that it cannot belost.
 16. Tolerance compensation of claim 14, wherein the toleranceslider is arranged on a wide surface of the flat part and grips behind alongitudinal edge of the flat part.
 17. Tolerance compensation of claim16 wherein the tolerance slider grips behind both longitudinal edges ofthe flat part.
 18. Tolerance compensation of claim 14, wherein thetolerance slider is guided in a groove arranged on a side surface of theflat part.
 19. Tolerance compensation of claim 18, wherein the toleranceslider engages in the groove.
 20. Tolerance compensation of claim 14,wherein the tolerance slider is guided in the first recess. 21.Tolerance compensation of claim 20, wherein the tolerance slider isguided in a groove arranged at an inner edge of the first recess or thatthe tolerance slider embraces an inner edge of the recess.
 22. Tolerancecompensation of claim 14, wherein the first recess is rectangular orsquare.
 23. Tolerance compensation of claim 22, wherein the secondrecess is an oblong hole.
 24. Tolerance compensation of claim 14,wherein the second recess is an oblong hole.
 25. Tolerance compensationof claim 14, wherein the transverse axis of the flat part isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flat part.
 26. Tolerancecompensation of claim 14, wherein the first recess has an extent in thedirection along the longitudinal axis and the transversal axis of theflat part which corresponds at least to a tolerance of the position ofthe bolt on the attachment part.
 27. Tolerance compensation of claim 14,wherein the tolerance slider is made of a metal or a plastic.
 28. Systemwith a tolerance compensation of claim 14 and an attachment part,wherein a flat part with the tolerance compensation is attached to abolt arranged on the attachment part, wherein the bolt is attached tothe attachment part with tolerances and goes through the first and thesecond recess.
 29. System of claim 28, wherein the tolerance slider isheld in a clamping manner at the bolt.